The AMC series drew a massive 16.1 million viewers, outdrawing everything on TV in its hour aside from NBC's "Sunday Night Football" telecast. It did beat the NFL game in adults 18-49, drawing 10.4 million people in that age range, which translates to an 8.2 rating.

AMC says that when time-shifted viewing is added, the episode will likely pass 20 million viewers.

"Sincere thanks to the fans, who have welcomed 'The Walking Dead' back for its fourth season with the highest-rated episode in the show's history," AMC president
Charlie Collier says. "We could not be more proud of this show and everyone on both sides of the camera who work so hard to give life to this story."

"The Walking Dead's" previous ratings high was 12.4 million viewers and 8.1 million adults 18-49 for the Season 3 finale in March. Sunday's premiere was the top show of the fall among adults 18-49, even including prime-time NFL broadcasts.

Following the "Walking Dead" premiere, the season debut of
"Talking Dead" also drew its best ratings ever with 5.1 million viewers and 3.3 million adults 18-49. The latter number beat everything on broadcast except "Sunday Night Football."